Politics

Friday, February 28

Biden’s most recent sanctions will significantly impact Russian exports, and Trump has extended them for another year.

Biden’s most recent sanctions will significantly impact Russian exports, and Trump has extended them for another year. According to the Central Bank, the US sanctions targeting the Russian oil and gas sector, along with the shadow fleet, introduced on January 10 are expected to cost Russia roughly 1% of its total expo...

The European Commission has outlined the main directions for its defensive reform that will cost billions.

The European Commission has outlined the main directions for its defensive reform that will cost billions. In response to a potential reduction in military support from the US and the need to increase its assistance to Ukraine, the EU plans to invest hundreds of billions of euros to strengthen its defense ...

Thursday, February 27

The US has not ruled out the Russian mineral extraction proposal from Ukraine’s occupied territories.

The US has not ruled out the Russian mineral extraction proposal from Ukraine’s occupied territories. The Russian Federation has offered the US access to rare earth metals and other resources in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, particularly in parts of the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions. Acc...

The US State Department is working to release additional funds for Ukraine.

The US State Department is working to release additional funds for Ukraine. Senior officials at the State Department are preparing a list of further exemptions to the foreign aid freeze for Ukraine that could allow it access to some economic and security assistance currently ...

Analysts: The amount of direct US aid to Ukraine is significantly lower than what politicians claim.

Analysts: The amount of direct US aid to Ukraine is significantly lower than what politicians claim. Over three years of full-scale war, the total financial aid that Ukraine has received from the US reaches $50.9B. Of this, $18.3B is military aid, while the remaining $32.6B consists of direct budget ...

How much aid have Ukraine’s allies promised since the start of the year?

How much aid have Ukraine’s allies promised since the start of the year? The EU and 11 other countries have announced military, financial, and humanitarian support packages for Ukraine since the beginning of the year. Here are new packages and previously announced support:...

Wednesday, February 26

Ukraine will sign a Minerals Deal with the US on February 28.

Ukraine will sign a Minerals Deal with the US on February 28. Ukraine has reached an agreement with the US to jointly develop its natural resources, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move could ease recent tensions with President Donald Trump a...

Trump: Ukraine reclaiming a portion of its occupied territory is on the table during the current US-Russia negotiations.

Trump: Ukraine reclaiming a portion of its occupied territory is on the table during the current US-Russia negotiations. US President Donald Trump stated on February 24 that he considers it realistic for Ukraine to reclaim some of its territories that are currently occupied by Russia, although it will be challenging. He...

Ukraine has been collaborating with the EU in mineral development for four years; the EC responds to rumored agreement with Ukraine.

Ukraine has been collaborating with the EU in mineral development for four years; the EC responds to rumored agreement with Ukraine. The European Commission has denied claims regarding a mineral agreement that was allegedly offered to Ukraine as an alternative to a similar agreement with the US, emphasizing that such cooperation ha...

Washington and Kyiv are nearing the conclusion of a minerals deal in which the US will keep Ukraine “free, sovereign, and secure.”

Washington and Kyiv are nearing the conclusion of a minerals deal in which the US will keep Ukraine “free, sovereign, and secure.” Reports on the latest mineral agreement draft indicate that the Trump administration views the agreement as a means to profit from American investment in Ukraine, which possesses vast untapped mineral...

Macron outlined steps for talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia.

Macron outlined steps for talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Donald Trump on February 24 in Washington, warned that “peace cannot mean surrender” for Kyiv. Macron supports President Zelenskyy visiting t...

France and Britain are drafting Ukrainian security guarantees, while Germany discusses establishing a fund to boost Ukraine’s defense and provide assistance.

France and Britain are drafting Ukrainian security guarantees, while Germany discusses establishing a fund to boost Ukraine’s defense and provide assistance. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and Britain have created a plan to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, which may involve deploying European troops on Ukrainian soil. During a mee...

Biden ensured the supply of American weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine until 2026.

Biden ensured the supply of American weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine until 2026. According to the WSJ, Ukraine will receive weapons from the US throughout 2025, as former US President Biden, before leaving the White House, tried to ensure that Ukraine would be able to resist Russi...

Not all EU countries are in support of Kallas’s €20B military aid initiative for Ukraine.

Not all EU countries are in support of Kallas’s €20B military aid initiative for Ukraine. Some EU countries do not support the initiative proposed by top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas to send Ukraine up to €20B in military aid, although the idea has received broad support among governments. The ...

Ukraine, under certain conditions, will be able to become a member of the EU before 2030.

Ukraine, under certain conditions, will be able to become a member of the EU before 2030. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “If Ukraine maintains the current pace of reforms, it will join the EU even before 2030. So let’s work and keep up the pace.̶...

The EU still cannot reach a compromise on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets: Who is against it?

The EU still cannot reach a compromise on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets: Who is against it? Support is still not unanimous among EU states for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets held in the EU and it is unlikely that a decision will be made in March, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja ...

Tuesday, February 25

On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s allies have committed to provide multi-billion-dollar support.

On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s allies have committed to provide multi-billion-dollar support. Ukraine’s allies, who either arrived in Kyiv or participated online in a summit marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, have announced that they are increasing their support. Among the ...

Zelenskyy proposes security guarantees based on the existing 28 bilateral security agreements.

Zelenskyy proposes security guarantees based on the existing 28 bilateral security agreements. This year should mark the beginning of genuine and reliable peace, President Zelenskyy stated on February 24, the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Putin will not grant us t...

Expected German Chancellor Merz’s party has won the Bundestag elections: How will this impact Ukraine?

Expected German Chancellor Merz’s party has won the Bundestag elections: How will this impact Ukraine? The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) bloc secured victory in the early elections to the Bundestag, garnering 28.5% of the vote. CDU leader Friedrich Merz intends to form a new government by April ...

The US aims to use the Istanbul Communiqué as a foundation for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia; Lavrov visits Turkey.

The US aims to use the Istanbul Communiqué as a foundation for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia; Lavrov visits Turkey. The US President’s envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, stated that Washington is considering utilizing the Istanbul Communiqué as a basis for concluding a peace agreement between Ukraine ...

Witkoff: The US and Ukraine are close to signing a mineral deal.

Witkoff: The US and Ukraine are close to signing a mineral deal. Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, anticipates an agreement being signed this week that will provide for US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. “President Trump sent Z...

The Nordic and Baltic countries have called on all Europeans to help Ukraine achieve peace from a position of strength.

The Nordic and Baltic countries have called on all Europeans to help Ukraine achieve peace from a position of strength. This was stated by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and co-authored by the foreign ministers of Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. The article notes that the...

Ukraine will receive €3.5B from the EU in March.

Ukraine will receive €3.5B from the EU in March. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Kyiv that Ukraine will receive a new €3.5B payment from the EU in March. She emphasized that not only is Ukraine’s fate at stake, ...

Monday, February 24

The US will work to end the hot stage of the war this year.

The US will work to end the hot stage of the war this year. President Zelenskyy held a press conference at the Ukraine. Year 2025 forum. Here are the main points: The summit will take place in Kyiv on February 24 and a future meeting will be held in Europe: Th...

The US has updated the terms of its proposed mineral agreement with Ukraine.

The US has updated the terms of its proposed mineral agreement with Ukraine. The head of the US Treasury Department, Scott Bessent, shared key details of the rare earth metals agreement that the US and Ukraine are set to sign. It is expected that the US will invest in Ukraine&...

The White House claims that Trump may end war in Ukraine this week.

The White House claims that Trump may end war in Ukraine this week. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump is confident in the possibility of concluding an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, and this could happen as early as...

The US and Russia secretly met in Switzerland to discuss the war in Ukraine; what were Russia’s demand during the first round of official talks?

The US and Russia secretly met in Switzerland to discuss the war in Ukraine; what were Russia’s demand during the first round of official talks? Representatives from the US and Russia have been meeting secretly in Switzerland in recent months to discuss the war in Ukraine. The last meeting took place in Geneva during the Munich Security Confer...

The US is presenting its own version of a resolution to the war in Ukraine to the UN, which includes amendments from the Russian side.

The US is presenting its own version of a resolution to the war in Ukraine to the UN, which includes amendments from the Russian side. On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US submitted a draft resolution to the UN. This resolution expresses condolences for the victims of the “Russian-Uk...

Britain announces its largest sanctions package against Russia; the G7 backs off of strengthening a price ceiling for Russian oil.

Britain announces its largest sanctions package against Russia; the G7 backs off of strengthening a price ceiling for Russian oil. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that today the UK will announce a new package of sanctions against Russia. As he specified, this is the largest package of sanctions the UK has produced sinc...

Military aid: Europeans step up support for Ukraine amid Trump’s actions.

Military aid: Europeans step up support for Ukraine amid Trump’s actions. The EU is preparing a new €20B military aid package for Ukraine amid US President Trump’s attempts to reach a quick peace settlement with Russia. The funds will be used to strengthen UkraineR...

The EU is working on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets held in the EU.

The EU is working on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets held in the EU. The EU is considering the potential confiscation of around $280B in frozen assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank in light of a possible reduction in aid from the US. There is ongoing discussion...

Friday, February 21

A sharp political turn: The US declines to identify Russia as an “aggressor” in G7 statements and refuses to co-author a UN resolution on Ukraine.

A sharp political turn: The US declines to identify Russia as an “aggressor” in G7 statements and refuses to co-author a UN resolution on Ukraine. The US opposes the use of the word “aggressor” for Russia and similar formulations that G7 leaders have used since 2022 in statements connected with the third anniversary of the invasion o...

Europe is exploring options to restore its military power in light of rising Russian rhetoric.

Europe is exploring options to restore its military power in light of rising Russian rhetoric. According to the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, discussions have intensified on how to boost defense spending, with joint financing increasingly becoming part of the conversation. The bloc may ...

Trump to rewrite Ukraine minerals deal, and pressures Zelenskyy to sign it.

Trump to rewrite Ukraine minerals deal, and pressures Zelenskyy to sign it. The Trump administration may push for a “simplified deal” with Ukraine on its mineral reserves to hasten the peace process and then later negotiate more detailed terms. Last week, Presiden...

Starmer and Macron are heading to Washington with a plan for a Ukrainian peacekeeping mission.

Starmer and Macron are heading to Washington with a plan for a Ukrainian peacekeeping mission. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to Washington next week for meetings aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Starmer is expected to pre...

The President of Lithuania has unveiled his own plan to support Ukraine, calling for an urgent €10B investment in Ukraine’s defense.

The President of Lithuania has unveiled his own plan to support Ukraine, calling for an urgent €10B investment in Ukraine’s defense. Following the second round of emergency talks between European and Canadian leaders on Wednesday hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Lithuania’s Head of State, Gitanas Nauseda, urged all...

Second emergency meeting in Paris: France and Germany are ready to take responsibility for peace and security in Ukraine and Europe.

Second emergency meeting in Paris: France and Germany are ready to take responsibility for peace and security in Ukraine and Europe. After discussions in Paris on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron held another urgent meeting focused on Ukraine on February 19. He spoke with several leaders from the EU, Canada, Iceland and Nor...

The EU’s new Russian sanctions will sever 13 additional Russian banks from SWIFT.

The EU’s new Russian sanctions will sever 13 additional Russian banks from SWIFT. Another 13 banks will be removed from the international payment system as part of the 16th package of EU sanctions. Representatives from 27 EU countries, including Hungary, agreed upon this new set of...

Europe must overcome its geopolitical stupor and accelerate the development of its defense strategy, which will include investments in Ukraine.

Europe must overcome its geopolitical stupor and accelerate the development of its defense strategy, which will include investments in Ukraine. “I spoke about the need to wake Europe from its economic and geopolitical stupor… Recent events and a different perspective from the US now compel us not only to confront the truth, but al...

Trumps statements concerning Ukraine are not justified: How much money has the US actually spent on Ukraine during the three-year war?

Trumps statements concerning Ukraine are not justified: How much money has the US actually spent on Ukraine during the three-year war? Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US Congress has allocated around $183B to Ukraine, not $350B as President Donald Trump claims, according to data from t...

Thursday, February 20

What are the risks of Trump’s course to quickly end the Russian war against Ukraine?

What are the risks of Trump’s course to quickly end the Russian war against Ukraine? US President Donald Trump, trying to hasten the end of the war in Ukraine, is creating a dangerous split in international politics. This threatens not only the security of Ukraine, but also Europe. At...

Trump summarizes the outcome of negotiations with the Russians: Ukraine must hold elections to engage in talks.

Trump summarizes the outcome of negotiations with the Russians: Ukraine must hold elections to engage in talks. The US President described the meeting as “very good,” stating that his confidence in resolving the war in Ukraine has increased. Trump mentioned that he is not opposed to the deployment o...

What demands did Russia make during the negotiations with the US?

What demands did Russia make during the negotiations with the US? At the meeting in Riyadh, Russia sought the release of its frozen state assets and an easing of US-applied sanctions. This amounts to approximately $6B, which represents the portion of the Russian Cen...

Russia demands that NATO revoke its promise of Ukraine’s accession to end the war, while Zelenskyy rejects any ultimatums.

Russia demands that NATO revoke its promise of Ukraine’s accession to end the war, while Zelenskyy rejects any ultimatums. Russia insists that not only Ukraine be denied entry to NATO but also on rescinding the Bucharest Summit decision of 2008 regarding Ukraine’s future membership in the Alliance. “Otherwise,...

Trump stated that it’s unclear how Ukraine spent the $350B in aid it received from the US; Zelenskyy corrects his counterpart’s figure.

Trump stated that it’s unclear how Ukraine spent the $350B in aid it received from the US; Zelenskyy corrects his counterpart’s figure. US President Donald Trump remarked that Washington allocated $350B in assistance to Ukraine, but “nobody knows where this money went.” He added that Ukraine “will have to pay or deal...

The EU is committed to playing a central role in peace talks and is prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.

The EU is committed to playing a central role in peace talks and is prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted that the international community must act as a united front on the issue of Ukrainian security guarantees, and Europe bears a special responsibility...

Russia seeks to entice Trump with a deal regarding its natural resources and market access.

Russia seeks to entice Trump with a deal regarding its natural resources and market access. The Kremlin has proposed an agreement on Russian natural resources to the U.S. presidential administration, according to Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and a member of the...

Peacekeeping mission in Ukraine: what are the positions of Zelensky and the main allies?

Peacekeeping mission in Ukraine: what are the positions of Zelensky and the main allies? President Zelenskyy said that in lieu of Ukraine joining NATO, a strong military and the presence of EU and the US troops in Ukraine could be an acceptable security guarantee. What are Ukraine’s...

Wednesday, February 19

How have the negotiations between Russia and the US in Saudi Arabia concluded?

How have the negotiations between Russia and the US in Saudi Arabia concluded? Representatives of the US State Department reported that during the talks, the parties agreed to: Establish a consultation mechanism to address shortcomings in bilateral relations between the US and R...

Why does Saudi Arabia seek a mediator role in the negotiations between the US and Russia?

Why does Saudi Arabia seek a mediator role in the negotiations between the US and Russia? Analysts believe this highlights the country’s ambition to become a global player capable of effectively mediating international conflicts. Another likely objective is to gain additional leverag...

Follow us